AN 18 YEAR OLD HIGHLAND MALT IS CROWNED WHISKY OF THE YEAR 2022 IN BLIND TASTING

Deanston 18 Year Old has triumphed in The Whisky Exchange’s annual tasting, taking the top spot in the only official blind whisky judging undertaken by members of the public. 

Deanston, a Highland distillery housed in an old cotton mill on the banks of the River Teith, claimed the crown in the 8^th annual Whisky of the Year blind tasting hosted by specialist spirits retailer The Whisky Exchange. Their 18-year-old expression is a delicious fruity, sweet single malt that has been matured in first-fill ex-bourbon casks, cranking the distillery’s distinctive honeyed, fruity character up to eleven.

This year’s shortlist included whiskies from the highlands and the islands, bold sherry bombs, creamy bourbon barrel single malts and a chocolatey Welsh whisky. After much deliberation whisky-loving consumers were encouraged to critique each whisky for nose, palate and finish, and select a first and second choice via a voting form.

All whiskies in the tasting were under £75 retail price, and all ongoing, commercially available releases. In addition to Deanston 18 Year Old, the shortlist featured:

Glen Moray 18 (runner up)

Oban 2006 Distillers Edition
Penderyn
Mortlach 16 Year Old
Old Pulteney 15 Year Old

Brendan McCarron, Master Distiller at Distell, said: “Deanston is not your typical distillery and Deanston 18 is not your average dram. Matured for 18 years in American white oak, ex-bourbon barrels, the end result is a dram that is smooth and aromatic, typical of our Deanston distillery style: soft, sweet, honeyed and uniquely waxy in flavour & mouthfeel. This is Deanston in a bottle. We are truly honoured to have impressed the blind taste panel, and titles don’t get much bigger than whisky of the year.”

Dawn Davies, head buyer at The Whisky Exchange, comments: “I am super excited to see Deanston win this year. It is a really underrated distillery that is producing some great tasting whisky at the moment.”

The Whisky Exchange ‘Of the Year’ winner is given a dedicated landing page on thewhiskyexchange.com for the year to showcase the producer and the bottling, while customers can watch out for special offers online and in-store ‘Of The Year’ tastings.

ABOUT THE WHISKY EXCHANGE

Founded in 1999, The Whisky Exchange is the leading global retailer of whiskies and fine spirits, with an award-winning online shop and three shops located in the heart of London at Covent Garden, Great Portland Street and London Bridge.

As a family company, The Whisky Exchange believes in excellent products at competitive prices and exceptional service. The company’s philosophy is simple – never rest on your laurels. The team, led by founders and brothers Sukhinder and Rajbir Singh and buyer Dawn Davies MW, is constantly trying to find new products with genuine heritage and quality in all drinks categories, while continuing to innovate and ensure its website and shop are the best in the business. Above all, the company is built on its amazing range and its people, and is responsible for the loyal and ever-expanding fan base from around the world.
The Whisky Exchange in numbers: 4,000 whiskies including 3,000 single malt Scotch whiskies; 500 Cognacs and Armagnacs; 600 rums; 300 gins; 200 bourbons; 150 Tequilas; three shops.

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